The Crucible vs. McCarthyism
Kwontez Moses ---- 14 November 2014
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
The Salem Witch Trials are known as a series of court hearings and accusations pertaining to witchcraft and doing the Devil's work.
- based on the Salem Witch Trials
- took place in Salem, Massachusetts
- took place in the year 1692
- regarding witchcraft
- not completely how the Salem Witch Trials carried on
- event started when girls were spotted in the woods dancing around fire
- wickedness was said to be in the area
- punishment was death or imprisonment
- some characters and events are fictitious
Court Trial for Accused "Witches"
This is a painting depicting a court hearing for many of the accused innocent women.
Tombstone of Victim Sarah Good
Sarah Good was amongst many who were accused of witchcraft and executed.
Execution During the Period
This is a painting depicting an execution that took place during the trials in 1692
McCarthyism
Like the Salem Witch Trials, McCarthyism was a period of false accusations and punishments.
- began when Republican U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy stated "there were Communists spreading throughout the United States"
- regarding the Second Red Scare
- took place throughout the United States
- took place during the 1950s
- people were accused of becoming or being part of a Communist party
- referred to as witch-hunts
- also called the "Modern Day Salem Witch Trials"
- gave people fear of being called a Communist
- based off the Salem Witch Trials
- term McCarthyism was coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's practices
Communism
Art depicting what America would be like if it was to become a Communist country.
Joseph McCarthy
U.S. Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy, who was the catalyst for the mass hysteria.
Witch-Hunter
Excerpt from an article written during the 1950s (which is the time period the event took place in)
Relativity of "The Crucible" & "McCarthyism"
The Crucible & McCarthyism
Both the Crucible and McCarthyism share similar traits such as:
- Both deal with mass hysteria
- Both deal with mob mentality
- Regards false accusations
- Punishment was a bad reputation or death (The Crucible)
- Fear is the object of the two
- Both are in reference of the Salem Witch Trials
- Court hearings were involved with both events
- Both are regarding hatred as well